Wildblue Satellite Internet is a Terrible Company to the People of Murphy NC

Posted by I Love Murphy on

About a year ago, I wrote an article as to how Wildblue Satellite Internet was a great opportunity for folks in Murphy, North Carolina because it brings high speed Internet to anywhere in Cherokee County. Now I must tell you how poor my experience with them was.

After having them for a full year now, I can personally provide a testament to their disservice.  Do not waste your time or money on them unless you have no other option. Although I’ve not used them personally, I would consider the other alternative company, Hughesnet.

Don’t get me wrong, Wildblue works fine when it is set up correctly. Their problem is customer service is atrocious at best. They are not willing to do anything to help the customer, If you do decide to use them, make sure you do a speed test and it has the amount of bandwidth you’re supposed to have before the technician ever leaves.

If you would like to know more details of the experiences I had, here they are in bullets:

  • First sign was when I first got it, they were not willing to alter plans to show me the different speeds even though I was possibly willing to pay more. They wanted to bump up the plan, force me to pay for the entire month when I wanted less than ten minutes just to see if it was worthwhile to upgrade.
  • I referred at least two clients/friends to them when I first signed up that I know for fact purchased their service. As part of their referral program, they agree to take $50 off your bill as an incentive to send them business. Both I know mentioned my name and told them about the referral. They never gave me one cent credit on my bill even though I called them and told them about it, who bought their service. They could easily verify it on their computer.
  • After having it for a couple months, it caused problems switching back and forth between service providers. Example, going back and forth to the office was painful. I called and they had me change some setting. It helped some, but it took our office technician to actually fix it.
  • After 4 months or so, I inquired as to why I was only getting half the speed of what I was paying for. The representative agreed there was a problem and asked if I would like a technician to come out and check the dish. Of course I would! Good – that will be a $99 charge. What??!! I didn’t touch the dish and it has been like this since the beginning? Even the phone company comes out and fixes the lines if you have problems. In the end they would do nothing to help.
  • Blue Ridge EMC is running fiber Internet and I signed up with them around month 10 of the service just to have true high speed and began using it.

Month 11 – I call to cancel. Can’t do it till closer.

  • Month 11.5 – I called to cancel again. They agreed to send a technician out and fix it for free. Nope – too little too late. Offered a free month of service. Again, too little too late. Finally was able to cancel. Received a confirmation number (THANK GOODNESS I wrote it down) and made sure that I would get no more bills. Nope, Nothing, The end is what I was told.
  • Today – I’m on hold with them having to fight a charge they told me they wasn’t going to happen. I don’t expect much help. Thankfully its on my American Express who will dispute it for me if I get no where with them. And now after holding for 50 minutes and 19 seconds, I’m hanging up with them and letting AMEX deal with it.

If you’re navigating options like Wildblue Satellite Internet in rural Murphy, we’re happy to guide you. Meanwhile, explore more things to do in Murphy NC while staying connected the smarter way.

John and Jessica Poltrock –

The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX of Murphy NC – Real Estate Services – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll Free (877) 837-3002 and demand The POLTROCK TEAM!

We’re Glad to be Back in Murphy!

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We’re back in the Murphy from our cruise to the Bahamas! It’s my first ever cruise, and we had a great time! We traveled on Royal Caribbean on the Sovereign of the Seas, which happens to be RC’s oldest ship. We were gone all last week and are now back in the office and running! I think the hardest thing to get back into the swing of things will be the lack of endless buffets!

We’re Back in Murphy and ready to help you with all your real estate needs—reach out anytime and check out things to do in Murphy NC while you’re here!

John and Jessica on the way to Coco Cay

John and Jessica at Formal Night

 

Fraud for Housing – Lying to Get a Home in Murphy, North Carolina

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When you buy a home – whether its your primary home or a vacation home – most folks need to apply for a loan to finance a portion of their investment. When you’re going through all the documents, it is important to understand exactly what you’re saying.

The real estate and mortgage fraud cases that dominate the headlines usually have to do with fraud for profit. A ringleader conspires with industry insiders – usually a real estate agent, appraiser, and loan officer – to obtain mortgage loans they have no intention of ever repaying.

Another form of mortgage fraud is also common – fraud for housing. According to an FBI source, “Fraud for housing represents illegal actions perpetrated solely by the borrower. The simple motive behind this fraud is to acquire and maintain ownership of a house under false pretenses. This type of fraud is typified by a borrower who makes misrepresentations regarding his income or employment history to qualify for a loan.”

Fraud for housing may include any of the following attempts to deceive the lender into approving a mortgage loan:

  • Claiming on a loan application that you earn more money than you actually earn.
  • Presenting counterfeit paycheck stubs to verify employment or income.
  • Intentionally overestimating the value of your assets on a loan application.
  • Claiming on a loan application to work for a particular employer when you do not.
  • Adding someone to the loan application as a co-borrower who does not intend to live in the home with you or assist you in making payments.
  • Signing a loan application that contains blanks you know the loan officer will fill in for you later with false information that will help you qualify for the loan.
  • Getting a friend or relative who owns a business to say that you work there.
  • Fudging the numbers on a document, such as a tax return, to make it look like you earn more than you do.
  • Applying for a loan in excess of the sale price paid to the seller, so you can obtain the surplus proceeds in cash back at closing.

Whenever you apply for a mortgage loan, you must sign the application – technically referred to as a 1003 (ten-oh-three) or Uniform Residential Loan Application. Just above the space for your signature is a statement worded something like this:

I/We fully understand that it is a federal crime punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, to knowingly make any false statements concerning any of the above facts as applicable under the provisions of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, et seq.

In other words, it is a felony to lie on a loan application, whether for profit or housing.

Some people argue that fraud for housing is a victimless crime. After all, the person applying for the mortgage loan really wants to keep the house and has every intention of making the monthly payments and paying off the debt. However, that’s beside the point. The real issue is that when people commit fraud for housing, they mislead the lender into approving a loan that is riskier than the lender would otherwise consider. It contributes to increases in foreclosures and the cost of mortgages to all consumers.

Knowing what constitutes fraud for housing can help you avoid committing it or becoming an accomplice if a loved one tries to make you complicit in their plans. Remain on the lookout for mortgage fraud of any type, and do your part to reduce fraud and make mortgage loans and housing more affordable for everyone, including your neighbors.
Ralph R. Roberts, GRI, CRS is a real estate and mortgage fraud forensics expert and author of Protect Yourself from Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud: Preserving the American Dream of Homeownership (Kaplan Publishing).

During the real estate bubble, this type of loan fraud was sadly prevalent. In fact, many professionals agree this very issue caused a large portion of the inflated prices and has now left many would-be flippers and investors “holding the bag.” Laws are in place for a reason, and its very important we follow them and banks enforce them.

If you’re looking for a primary home or a vacation home and are unsure of your financial situation, let us know! We have experience in both conventional and unconventional financing that will put you in your new home without putting you in a dangerous situation.

Understanding and avoiding Fraud for Housing is critical for buyers. Let us guide you safely through your next home purchase. Explore more things to do in Murphy NC while planning your move!

John and Jessica Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX Mountain Properties – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Real estate in the Mountains of North Carolina – Call Toll-Free (877) 837-3002 and demand The POLTROCK TEAM!

A Testament to Murphy’s Finest Realtors – from folks who DIDN’T buy real estate!

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So many times, you see testimonials from one of our clients who came to Murphy and actually purchased a home or land. Here’s a twist on things – Bob and Judi did not purchase anything… and it was a good thing! We protected their interests so they didn’t buy a piece of land they wouldn’t have been able to use. Here’s their testament to Murphy’s finest realtors:

Dear John,

We are writing to express our appreciation for all that you did in protecting our interest concerning the property in Murphy that we tried to buy.  By following your guidance we did not make the mistake of purchasing a piece of land that was practically useless or may have cost us considerable additional funds to make it usable.  We never thought of the possibility that a septic permit might not be granted (since one had already been issued before but had expired).

We also want to thank you for all the courtesy that you extended to us in showing us around.  The many locations that you have driven us to check out and the information that you provided while we traveled this past winter was beyond our expectations.  We have been very impressed with your knowledge of buildings, land and the area around Murphy.

We wish you and the rest of the Remax staff much success.  If anything changes in our situation and we decide to sell our land in Georgia or buy in Murphy instead of building, we will call you immediately.  We will keep in touch because we consider you and honest business man and now a friend.  Thanks so much.
This heartfelt Testament to Murphy’s Finest Realtors reminds us that integrity always comes first. Discover more things to do in Murphy NC while you’re here—and when the time is right, we’ll be here to help.

God Bless,

Bob and Judi Rinehart
St. Cloud, Florida

What Exactly Does “Underground Utilities” Mean for My Murphy NC Property?

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Underground utilities are an advantage for property owners and investors. In fact, you can readily distinguish if they’re available by searching for the infamous “green box” for power. When you see a tract of land or a home for sale advertised as having Underground Utilities, they usually also have underground telephone cable as well.

Underground Power BoxOne immediate advantages is the aesthetics. Unsightly power lines can ruin an otherwise phenomenal mountain view. It makes living in your community simply cleaner. Underground hides in the landscape rather than overwhelming it with poles and power lines littering the land.

Safety is another concern. Trees tend to blow over at some point in a storm, and if power lines are protected underground, the line won’t be knocked down creating a “live wire” and causing a power outage further down the grid. An invisible consideration is that power lines create electromagnetic radiation. It is widely believed that power lines can cause cancer from the invisible “field” they cause around them. Generally, this is a concern with larger distribution lines. By burying them in the ground, professionals in the field seem to agree the soil protects you from higher exposure.

From a purely financial aspect, it adds value to your property. I just performed a quick search of land sales in the past 6 months between one and three acres to see what the differences were in value. Here’s what I found:

  • With Underground Utilities – 51 real estate transactions with an average dollar value of $67,901
  • Without Underground Utilities – 37 real estate transactions with an average dollar value of $35,414

Does that mean my property is worth $32,487 more with underground utilities? No, it does not. This search doesn’t factor out certain features or characteristics that could skew the outcome of it. However, there is a direct correlation in having underground utilities and having a higher property value.

Your power company will be the one to install underground utilities should you decide you would like them. Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (BREMC) and Murphy Power Board are two of our major power companies, and whichever is your power company would be responsible for installing it for you.

To make a long article short, underground utilities are certainly a worthy investment in your property. If you’re searching to buy a property, it is certainly worth considering regardless of whether you’re looking at it from an aesthetic, safety, or financial standpoint.

Whether for safety, beauty, or long-term value, Underground Utilities make a difference. While you plan, enjoy the best things to do in Murphy NC and explore your next move.

John and Jessica Poltrock – RE/MAX Mountain Properties – The POLTROCK TEAM –  Helping you make the wisest investment decision! – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll-Free (877) 837-3002 and demand The POLTROCK TEAM!

Herman Samec Endorses The POLTROCK TEAM in Murphy, NC!

Posted by I Love Murphy on

When I first contacted John and Jessica, I didn’t realize how easy selling a piece of property could be… I called them because RE/MAX in Murphy had sent me a card soliciting my business. The card read, WARNING! LISTING YOUR PROPERTY WITH JOHN AND JESSICA MAY CAUSE IT TO SELL.

So I’m thinking to myself, YEAH, SURE. Not familiar with selling property, all I could see was confusion, lawyers, tax collectors, fees of all sort and a big stack of papers, and any other headache I could imagine.

Despite my misgivings, I called John. He took the time to explain the process. The complete transaction was handled by a few phone calls and through the mail. The property sold for more and much faster than I had expected. It couldn’t have been easier.

John and Jessica are real professionals – friendly, dependable, and efficient. I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to sell their property.

If you’re ready for results like Herman’s, call the POLTROCK TEAM in Murphy. And while you’re at it, explore more things to do in Murphy NC while you’re here!

Herman Samec
Green Cove Springs, FL

New Home for Sale Between Murphy and Andrews, North Carolina

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Virtually Brand-New Clayton Home for Sale! Perfectly situated between Murphy and Andrews, it has 3 bedrooms and two baths. It’s very neatly maintained! It has a gravel walkway leading all the way around the home.

Some of the very neat features about this home are:

But don’t take our word for it, go through the house just like you were touring it in person.

If you’re searching for a Home for Sale that’s clean, convenient, and move-in ready, don’t wait! Contact us today to schedule a showing. And while you’re in town, check out the top things to do in Murphy NC—you may just want to stay for good!

John and Jessica Poltrock – RE/MAX of Murphy, NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Real Estate in the North Carolina Mountains – Call Toll Free (877) 837-3002 and demand the POLTROCK TEAM!

 

SOLD!!! 1595 Tarheel North in Murphy, North Carolina

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Tarheel North is a great neighborhood in the Murphy NC area! Known for being a prime real estate area, there’s many opportunities available!

This home is 2 bedroom, 2 bath home on a full unfinished basement with a very pretty mountain view! Modified Chalet styled home right on a state maintained paved road.

Want to explore more mountain living opportunities in Tarheel North? Reach out to us today to schedule your visit. And while you’re here, check out the best things to do in Murphy NC to see why so many love calling this place home!

John and Jessica Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX Mountain Properties – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – For Outstanding Results, Call Toll-Free (877) 837-3002 and demand the POLTROCK TEAM!

When It Comes to Investing in Murphy (and anywhere), There’s GOOD Debt Vs. BAD Debt

Posted by I Love Murphy on

Many people look at investing as a tricky. Fact is, it’s great! Many of our most successful investors use debt to further their influence. Whether they’re buying homes or land tracts here in Murphy, real estate gives you the best returns when you use leverage.

When it comes to debt, most consumers fall into either of two camps – those who fear debt and those who embrace it. Let’s call the first group the debt-o-phobes. To these folks, debt is to be avoided at all costs. They don’t carry a credit card and refuse to buy anything, except a home perhaps, on credit. We’ll call the other group debt-thusiasts. As long as they can have whatever they want right now and can afford the monthly payments, they don’t care how much debt they are in or interest they will pay.

Neither extreme is healthy. The debt-thusiasts are constantly paying too much for goods and services, because in addition to the purchase price, they are usually paying a hefty amount in finance charges. They never get ahead and have little chance of building wealth.

The debt-o-phobes, on the other hand, can save a considerable amount of money in interest, but they have less money available to fund revenue-generating investments. Because they refuse to take on debt, the only money they have to invest is the money they have squirreled away.

Financially healthy, wealthy, and wise individuals are not opposed to taking on debt, but they are very proactive in limiting bad debt and maximizing the power of good debt.

Bad Debt

What exactly is bad debt? Bad debt is money you owe on something that 1) does not increase your earning potential and 2) depreciates – decreases in value over time. Generally speaking, if you go on a spending spree with your credit card, you are taking on bad debt.

Some experts would claim that a loan taken out to purchase a new car is bad debt, because as soon as you drive the car off the lot it depreciates. While that may be true, financing the purchase of a nice car could increase your earnings potential, allowing you to drive to a workplace that offers a higher salary. A nice car could also improve the earnings potential of someone in sales who must drive clients around.

Good Debt

Good debt is money you owe on something that either 1) increases your earnings potential sufficiently to pay back the debt, and then some, or 2) enables you to invest in an appreciable asset – an asset whose value increases over time sufficiently to cover the debt.

Experts generally agree that a mortgage loan used to purchase a home represents good debt, because while you are paying the interest on the mortgage, your home is appreciating in excess of the percentage interest you pay. In addition, your home mortgage is tax-deductible, assuming you can and do itemize your deductions.

Most people also consider education loans to be a form of good debt, because an education generally improves your earnings potential – although that may depend on what you study in school and how much debt you graduate with.

Exchanging Bad Debt for Better Debt

Although you may not be able to trade bad debt for good debt, you may be able to decrease your amount of bad debt. If you have a large amount of credit card debt, for example, and some equity in your home, you may benefit by refinancing your mortgage loan to pay off your credit card debt. (Equity is the amount of money locked up in your home – if you sold your home today and paid off the mortgage, the amount of money you would have left represents the equity.)

Refinancing your home mortgage to pay off your credit card debt could benefit you in two ways:

  • Decrease the amount of interest you’re paying. A mortgage loan usually carries a significantly lower interest rate than the rate charged on credit card debt.
  • Makes the interest you are paying tax-deductible. Home mortgage interest is tax-deductible. The interest you pay on your credit card balance is not.

Caution: Consult with a trusted and qualified accountant or loan specialist before refinancing your home to pay down your credit card debt. Refinancing too often can cost you a considerable amount of money in loan origination fees and other expenses related to taking out the loan.

  • Caution: Refinancing to pay off credit card debt converts the unsecured credit card debt into secured debt. The debt is now secured by your home, which allows the lender to foreclose if you are unable to make payments. Credit card companies cannot seize your home if you fail to make payments. In addition, if you file for bankruptcy, secured debts have priority over unsecured debts, so if you think you might have to file for bankruptcy later, converting unsecured debt into secured debt may not be a good idea.

Investing with Other People’s Money

One of the secrets to maximizing the return on your investments is to use borrowed money (other people’s money) to finance your investments. For example, say you have $100,000 to invest in real estate, knowing that you can buy and fix up a home for $100,000 and then turn around and sell it for $120,000. If you could pull it off, you would earn a 20% profit, which isn’t bad.

But what if you took that $100,000 purchased and fixed up five properties? For each property, you would use $20,000 of your own money as a down payment and $80,000 of borrowed money – other people’s money. Now, you buy, fix, and sell five homes, earning $20,000 per home for a total of $100,000 in profits – a 100% profit!

That’s what you call leverage, and you gain leverage by using other people’s money.

When you are ready to begin building your own wealth in real estate, talk to your loan officer or mortgage broker about leveraging the power of other people’s money. He or she will know exactly what you’re talking about.

See more from author Ralph R. Roberts, GRI, CRS is an experienced real estate agent and investor and author of Mortgage Myths: 77 Secrets That Will Save You Thousands on Home Financing (John Wiley & Sons).

If you’re looking for an investment, now is the perfect time to contact us. If you’re looking to refinance and stop paying so much interest on things like credit cards, we have some of the best mortgage brokers in the industry working with us!

At The Poltrock Team, we help you grow your wealth wisely—whether you’re refinancing or investing. Discover more things to do in Murphy NC while building your financial future with us!

John and Jessica Poltrock – REMAX Mountain Properties – The POLTROCK TEAM – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll Free (877) 837-3002 and demand the POLTROCK TEAM! to start investing successfully in real estate!

It’s Snowing in Murphy, North Carolina Today!

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March seems to always bring crazy weather in Murphy NC, and as I write this, it’s pouring some of the biggest snow flakes I’ve every seen! It’s really an amazing sight to see because it won’t stay long. And for your enjoyment and for the ability to laugh at us, here’s a couple of goofy pictures we just took outside!

Whether you’re here for the snow or the sunshine, there’s always something exciting with the weather in Murphy NC—explore more things to do in Murphy NC with us!

John and Jessica in the Snow

The Normal Weather, Climate, and Rainfall of Murphy, North Carolina

Fun in the snow! John and Jessica Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX of Murphy, NC – Real Estate in the Mountains – (877) 837-3002 – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com